BIO
Pearl Brunings, a Surinamese-born painter, began her artistic journey in 2000, initially exploring self-reflection through forms inspired by feminine strength and abstract color work. Over time, her style evolved, leading her to focus on the deconstruction of symbols drawn from her Afro-Surinamese, Chinese, and Celtic heritage. This exploration ultimately gave rise to her current work: abstract, surreal, dreamlike landscapes. These pieces, deeply connected to personal memories and her ancestors' bond with nature, serve as reminders of humanity's relationship with the earth.
Based in Paramaribo, Pearl also creates art in Antwerp. Her mixed heritage shapes her international perspective, and her work invites viewers to explore the intangible and tangible, blending themes of cultural identity, nature, and spirituality. With a sense of mystique and quiet magic, her paintings offer a glimpse into worlds where reality and imagination gently intertwine.
CV
Born in 1969 in Paramaribo, Suriname
Resides and works in Paramaribo, Suriname
Education/Training
2000-2002 – Painting apprenticeship with visual artist Soeki Irodikromo, Paramaribo, Suriname
2001-2005 – Graphic design training from graphic and visual artist Henna M. Brunings, Paramaribo, Suriname
2002-2004 – Painting apprenticeship with visual artist George Struikelblok, Paramaribo, Suriname
Selected Solo Exhibitions
· Woven Worlds, Kasteel Le Paige, Herentals, Belgium, 2026
· The Art of Pearl Brunings, Stichting NK, VIP Lounge Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, Para, Suriname, 2024
· When Golf Meets Art, Golfclub Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· Unchained, De Hal, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· Che’s Presents Art from Hex’s Heart, Che’s Bar Tapas Cigars, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2021
Selected Group Exhibitions
· Stichting Sanjay’s Najaar Salon 2025, Vrij Paleis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2025
· Stichting Sanjay’s Najaar Salon 2024, Vrij Paleis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2024
· SIAF 2022 Pop-Up, Surinaamsch Rumhuis, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· 43rd Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the CARICOM, Royal Torarica, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2022
· High Level Security Conference 2022, Torarica Resort & Royal Torarica, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2022
· Artlife of Rum, Surinaamsch Rumhuis, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2022
· Diff’rent Strokes, Centro Andres Bello Community Centre, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2004
· Faces, Fort Zeelandia (Building 9), Paramaribo, Suriname, 2001
Art Fairs
· Nationale Kunstbeurs 2023 (NK 2023), De Hal, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· Nationale Kunstbeurs 2022 (NK 2022), De Hal, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2022
· Nationale Kunstbeurs 2021 (NK 2021), Virtual art fair, 2021
Collections
Her works are held in private collections in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Suriname, Sweden, Türkiye, and the United States.
Selected press
· Surinamese artist launches crowdfunding campaign for Belgian solo exhibition, Suriname Times (2025)
· Hello, I am Pearl Brunings, visual artist from Paramaribo, United News (2025)
· Visual artist Brunings invited for solo exhibition in Belgium, De Ware Tijd Online (2025)
· Artist Pearl Brunings: ‘I used to draw on the bedsheets and the walls of the house’, Parbode Magazine (Feature article, 2025)
· Featured three times on “Q-Time with Pearl Brunings,” Supreme Suriname TV (2022, 2023, 2025)
· Minister Jubithana presents artworks to colleagues in Curaçao as gifts, Starnieuws (2023)
· Exhibition ‘Unchained’: an ode to creative freedom, Waterkant (2023)
· Raoul Roeplal, Visual artist Pearl Brunings holds her first major solo exhibition, ABC TV Suriname (2023)
· Pearl Brunings unveils versatile art in ‘Unchained’, De Ware Tijd (2023)
· Tascha Aveloo, Art and Culture, De Ware Tijd (2022)
· Video portrait of Pearl Brunings, MTNL TV Amsterdam (2021)
· Episode 09 – April 29, 2021, Eygi Du Magazine podcast (2021)
Professional Contributions
· Facilitator of Maluwana, Paint Your Inner Journey workshops – combining art and personal reflection, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2025
· Facilitator of Maluwana, Paint Your Inner Journey workshops, Herentals, Belgium, 2024
· Selection committee member, Nationale Kunstbeurs 2023, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· Founder and organizer of The Mobile Exhibition, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2023
· Graphic designer, Paramaribo, Suriname (2005–present)
Community Engagement & Funding
2025 – Crowdfunding campaign successfully raised €6,563, demonstrating strong public engagement and a growing base of collectors and supporters
Additional
Paintings acquired by H.E. Albert Egbert Jubithana, Minister of Transport, Communications and Tourism, Republic of Suriname, and gifted to:
· H.E. Ruisandro Cijntje, Minister of Economic Development, Government of Curaçao
· H.E. Charles Fernandes Cooper, Minister of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning, Government of Curaçao